Max Flash: Mission 1: Game On

Max Flash #1

by Jonny Zucker, Ned Woodman (Illustrations)

Meet Max, explosive escapologist and master magician! He can free himself from the tightest of chains and contort himself into the tiniest of spaces. When the top secret Department for Extraordinary Activity discovers that an evil computer game character has escaped from the virtual world and is intent on causing chaos, they know the time has come for Max's first mission.



There are dangerous monsters to fight, and a perilous plot to does Max have the special skills needed to save the day?

Genres: Adventure, Childrens, Science Fiction, Middle Grade

144 pages, Library Binding

First published September 3, 2007

Reviews

[Shanaz Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max Flash is a young boy with special abilities; his parents are magicians and is sent on special missions and is given different gadgets for each mission. There is a demon character who has escaped from a video game into the virtual world and Max needs to transform himself into the virtual world to save the world.
I think its more suited for the boys then the girls, as when I read this to my class for book week, the boys showed more enthusiasm for the book. There are a lot of words used in relation to computers/ICT that can be a bit of a tongue twister at times when reading out loud. However it is still well suited for the young to read and also learn about ancient Egpyt and the Pharaohs.

[Miranda Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 9 year old son (as English is his 2nd language) and we both really enjoyed it.

This book's story line is sort of magicians meet James Bond. It is fast paced and has cliffhanger chapter endings forcing you to keep reading on. Plus lots of illustrations to help visualise what is happening. The main character, Max, has magician parents and is a trained escapologist himself. He is assigned to go to into the virtual world to try and stop a rogue computer character that keeps breaking out into the real world and causing havoc. It's lost of fun.

My son is a big fan of computer games, so the fact that lots that he knew were mentioned meant he could engage better. We will definitely be reading more of these books.

[Younes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a cheesy story line that I’ve seen loads of times but a great read for getting into reading with something easy.

[Jamie Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my personal favorite, but I think my students will like it.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Max Flash, a budding magician, escapologist, and contortionist, is astonished to discover that his parents are not simply magicians. They are agents for the DFEA (Department for Extraordinary Activity), and the DFEA now needs his help to complete a mission. Zavonne, head of the DFEA, communicates with Max’s family via television screen in their basement. She needs Max to infiltrate a computer company so that he can enter the virtual world of gaming. His mission is to find and neutralize Deezil, a character in the Slime Beasts of Death game that has managed to bridge the gap between virtual reality and actual reality due to an error in a portal and is wreaking havoc in the real world. Max is given three futuristic gadgets to help him with his mission, as he is thrust into the action of video games (some that he has actually played) while searching for the evil Deezil. The ending is satisfying though predictable. This intermediate chapter book is the first installment of the Max Flash series and will no doubt appeal to gamers, especially boys. Those wanting adventure books will be drawn to the straightforward writing, serialized chapters and occasional black and white anime-like illustrations. This quick read will no doubt be popular. Order if you have a need for intermediate chapter books.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a double-jointed son of magicians it is only natural that Max becomes part of the act with his escape abilities. He is a little surprised when he finds out his parents have an underground headquarters where they act as secret agents for an even more top secret agency, the DFEA. Max is now being asked to become an agent as well and is ready to head out on his first mission. He gets to battle monsters, race cars and live in the virtual world of computer games (think Tron) as he hunts down a rogue bad guy from a new game. Armed with awesome gadgets and his own unique abilities Max is the perfect kid for the job. This is the first in an action-packed intermediate series that will entertain readers, particularly boys, in the 2nd grade on up. This will also be a great choice for older but reluctant readers. The black and white illustrations throughout are well-done and add a graphic novel feel to the story.

[Julie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on the cover I though this was going to be a graphic novel. It wasn't but it had cool illustrations anyway. I read the digital version from Netgalley but I can imagine that the book is going to look very cool. Boys will love this and it is very accessible for struggling readers or reluctant readers. It was also quite funny (or maybe disturbing) - anyone for Deadly Butt Mist?

Max's parents are famous magicians and Max has become a talented escape artist and as a result the Department for Extraordinary Activity decides to send him on a mission. Max's mission is to go into the hard drive of a programmer's computer to find a portal that was mistakenly created and keep Deezil, the villain from Slime Beasts of Death, from leading all the Virtuals into the real world to battle the Gamers. With action, humor, gadgets, and close calls this book is sure to please.

[Sadrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one here is a cute book with handy illustrations here and there. It's adorable and short featuring Max, soon-to-be agent and an avid gamer. Max is an obedient boy who does his job properly and had fun doing it. He is also a talented kid with a quick thinking. Of course being a gamer helped him more than a couple of times.

Overall, an enjoyable book for kids and anyone who likes a children's book with a little illustration on the sides, really.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
When we were young we probably thought our parents were boring. But imagine finding out they are spies and they need your help. And the best part is they are going to shrink you down and put you into a video game. This looks to be a fun series. I love the graphic layout of the pages because I think it will appeal to reluctant readers.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read for upper elementary/ middle school students about a boy who gets recruited to a secret mission: a video game villain has found his way into the real world and must be stopped. Kids will appreciate the real world/ virtual world relationship and of course a child secret agent is always a hit.

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elementary aged video gamers will love this new series. It's full of action, easy to read, and packed with dynamic illustrations. I found it a bit flat, but the group of kids who gravitate towards this book won't care about two-dimensional characters. Recommended for fans of the movie Wreck-it Ralph or the Zombie Kid Diaries books.

[KobePlayz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this to the people who watch K.C. Undercover,I starts off like this Max the Main Character is in a tube with water He's Performing 1 of Houdini's Tricks. He's all in chains (NOTE: Max was born with Rare Double jointedness) he makes it out after that his parents have something to show him well thats all im saying Your gonna have to read the books

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a six book series that will succeed in pulling your I-don't-like-to-read-let-me-just-play-video-games kid away from their game console. All six are available at Hoover Public Library.

[Becky Jamieson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good fast paced syfy adventure story where Max Flash goes on a mission inside of video games. Good for readers that are moving between picture books and novels. He saves the world from the video game monsters.

[Megan Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can actually see a lot of my middle-school students enjoying this series.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (7yo) read.

[AHMED]

the best

[Sarthk Kharwal · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice book, would definitely want to read the whole series